TOWER CRANE OPERATOR Occupation Description Tower means a person who operates tower cranes (including luffing jib and articulated jib tower cranes) to perform lifts and hoist loads, and has experience with rigging practices and procedures. For detailed information on the scope of knowledge and skills taught and assessed in this program refer to the Program Outline, available on the ITA website. Pathways to Certification In BC, an individual can become certified as a Tower by completing the Tower program or by challenging the certification. All crane operators must be registered with British Columbia Safety prior to applying for ITA apprenticeship registration. Apprenticeship programs are for individuals who have an employer to sponsor them and challenge programs are for individuals who have extensive experience working in the occupation and wish to challenge the certification. Youth can begin an apprenticeship in high school through the Youth Train in Trades or Youth Work in Trades programs. The Youth Work in Trades program is available for any trade if an employer is willing to sponsor the student. Trades offered through the Youth Train in Trades vary by region; contact your local school district to find out which technical training programs are being offered through the Youth Train in Trades program in your region. Recommended Education The following education is recommended for apprentices entering this occupation. These are not prerequisites, but rather a desired level of skill or knowledge that will contribute to success in the industry. Grade 12 or equivalent BC Safety Registration BC Safety registration is required for all crane operators in British Columbia. Registration forms are available on the BC Safety website at www.bccranesafety.ca. ITA Registration Individuals who wish to begin an apprenticeship in this program must register with ITA along with their sponsor. Application forms for all programs are available from the ITA website. Online registration is also available for most programs through the ITA website. Those who wish to challenge the Tower certification must complete the Tower Challenge Application and submit it to ITA. Challenge applications are assessed for proof of workplace hours and scope of experience prior to acceptance of the individual into the challenge pathway. TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 1 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Apprenticeship Pathway This graphic provides an overview of the Tower apprenticeship pathway. = Certificate of Qualification C of A = Certificate of Apprenticeship Tower C of A Tower Tower Level 2 ITA Standardized Practical Assessment Interprovincial Red Seal ITA Level 2 Standardized Written -Related Experience*: 2,650 hours (of which 500 hours is rigging time, 24 hours is operating time with a certified tower crane operator and 500 hours is operating time ) BC Safety Electronic Logbook Signoff Technical Training: 140 hours Mobile and Tower Level 1 -Related Experience*: Accumulate hours Technical Training: 210 hours APPRENTICESHIP - DIRECT ENTRY *-related experience as entered in the operator s BC Safety electronic logbook Actual operation of the crane CROSS-PROGRAM CREDITS Individuals who hold certification or partial credit in a crane program and plan to move to an alternate crane program Mobile and Tower Level 1 Level 1 Standardized Written Mobile Level 1 Standardized Written Mobile - Lattice Boom Friction Level 1 Standardized Written Mobile - Lattice Boom Hydraulic Level 1 Standardized Written Mobile - Hydraulic Unlimited Tonnage Level 1 Standardized Written TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 2 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Apprenticeship Program Standards Credentials Awarded Tower - Certificate of Qualification with Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement Tower - Certificate of Apprenticeship ITA Registration Prerequisites Agreement signed by the Sponsor to sponsor the apprentice Completion Requirements Certification as a Tower is awarded upon successful completion of: Requirement Technical Training Written ITA Level 2 Standardized Written Level of Achievement Required Minimum 70% in each level of technical training: Mobile and Tower Level 1: 210 hours Tower Level 2: 140 hours Minimum 70% Minimum 70% Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written is required before attempting the Level 2 Standardized Written Interprovincial Red Seal Minimum 70% Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written is required before attempting the Interprovincial Red Seal ITA Standardized Practical Assessment Pass Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written, the Level 2 Standardized Written and the Interprovincial Red Seal is required before attempting the practical assessment Work-Based Training 2,650 hours o Completion of 500 workplace hours (documented time rigging) o Completion of 24 workplace hours (documented operator operating time with a certified tower crane operator) o Completion of 500 workplace hours (documented operator operating time) Notification by BC Safety that the Sponsor(s) has recommended certification of the apprentice in this trade Electronic logbook which includes workplace hours signed off by the Sponsor(s) TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 3 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Program Duration Challenging a Level Duration varies depending on how training is delivered and the type and number of workplace hours that are accumulated. The technical training requirement is typically met through block-release training (fulltime, at school) delivered by an ITA-approved training provider. It can also be met through approved alternative training models (e.g., distance education, online, part-time) and/or level challenge where these options are available. The following levels of technical training can be challenged for advanced placement in this program: Mobile and Tower Level 1 Apprenticeship Program Standards Cross-Program Credits Individuals who hold certification or partial credit in a crane program and plan to move to an alternate crane program Credential Mobile and Tower Level 1 Credit(s) Granted Mobile Mobile - Lattice Boom Friction Mobile - Lattice Boom Hydraulic Mobile Hydraulic Unlimited Tonnage TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 4 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Challenge Pathway This graphic provides an overview of the Tower challenge pathway. = Certificate of Qualification Tower Completion Requirements ITA Standardized Practical Assessment Interprovincial Red Seal ITA Level 2 Standardized Written Prerequisites Approved challenge application, including: -Related Work Experience: 3,000 hours (of which 500 hours is rigging time) CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are entitled to receive partial credit toward the completion requirements of this program Mobile Written Mobile - Lattice Boom Friction Written Mobile - Lattice Boom Hydraulic Written Mobile - Hydraulic Unlimited Tonnage Written TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 5 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Challenge Program Standards Credentials Awarded Tower - Certificate of Qualification with Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement ITA Registration Prerequisites An approved Challenge Application, which includes: Minimum 3,000 documented hours of directly-related experience working in the occupation. Of those, 500 hours is rigging time. Documented evidence of achievement of the competencies listed in the ITA Tower Challenge Application. Credit for Prior Learning Individuals who hold the credentials listed below are considered to have partially met the completion requirements for challenging this program: Credential Credit(s) Granted Mobile Written Mobile - Lattice Boom Friction Mobile - Lattice Boom Hydraulic Mobile Hydraulic Unlimited Tonnage Written Written Written Completion Requirements Certification as a Tower is awarded upon successful completion of: Requirement Level of Achievement Required Minimum 70% ITA Level 2 Standardized Written Minimum 70% Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written is required before attempting the Level 2 Standardized Written Interprovincial Red Seal Minimum 70% Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written is required before attempting the Interprovincial Red Seal ITA Standardized Practical Assessment Pass Note: Successful completion of the Level 1 Standardized Written, the Level 2 Standardized Written and the Interprovincial Red Seal is required before attempting the practical assessment TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 6 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017
Supporting Documents Tower Program Outline (2016) Defines the full scope of knowledge and skills required to competently perform the occupation in BC. Available from the ITA website: www.itabc.ca. Tower Getting Ready Guide Provides information on the level examinations, examination topics and how an individual can prepare for the examination. Available from the ITA website: www.itabc.ca and from the BC Safety website: www.bccranesafety.ca. Tower National Occupational Analysis (2012) and CCDA Harmonization Recommendations (2015) Prepared by industry experts, under the guidance of the federal government, for Red Seal trades to define the national standard of competence for the trade. Available from the Red Seal website: www.red-seal.ca. logbook programs utilize an electronic logbook which is assigned upon registering with BC Safety. All crane operators must be registered with BC Safety. Contacts The Industry Training Authority (ITA) manages B.C. s industry training and apprenticeship programs. Contact ITA Customer service if you have any questions regarding registration, examinations or certification for this program. Telephone: 778-328-8700 Fax: 778-328-8701 Toll Free (within BC): 1-866-660-6011 Email: customerservice@itabc.ca Website: www.itabc.ca BC Safety sets and manages the industry program standards and the crane operator certification program in British Columbia. BC Safety works with industry to identify current and emerging knowledge, skill, and safety requirements for occupations related to this program. Telephone: 604-336-4699 Fax: 604-336-4510 Email: info@bccranesafety.ca Website: www.bccranesafety.ca Revision History The standards for this program were reviewed and/or updated on the dates below. Program Standards Approved: November 2016 June 2017 Program Profiles are updated regularly. Visit www.itabc.ca for the most current version. TOWER CRANE OPERATOR (0193-RS53) Page 7 of 7 Tower Profile December 2017